Assembly Written Question 11290/17-22

Question: To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 9679 17-22, to detail the change in circumstances that subsequently indicated the project might not reach an outcome that fully covers the investment made by Invest NI.

Answer: The Glenmore Anaerobic Digestion Facility has experienced a number of challenges at various stages, including design challenges and operational difficulties. Construction of the plant was commenced in February 2016 by Williams Industrial Services (WIS). Basic construction works were materially complete by June 2017, but plant commissioning challenges were encountered. WIS was also contracted by Glenmore Generation Limited (GGL) to operate and maintain the plant, but went into administration in February 2018. An independent Management and Operations Review was commissioned in 2019 and a new operator was appointed in early 2020, with the company preparing a turnaround plan.